Business Directories

No single party 'can impose its will on Bahrainis'

Manama, April 7, 2012

No single party in Bahrain will be allowed to impose its opinions on others, His Majesty King Hamad pledged yesterday calling for the need to take the path of peace and goodness as 'it is the best way forward.'

'This is our conviction,' he said in an interview with a Japanese TV ahead of his official visit next week at the invitation of Emperor Akihito.

'I believe that the world, most of the free world, is convinced that the countries should be for all their people,' he said. 'We guarantee this way of life.'

His Majesty said violence by all sides must end promptly to enable a peaceful and civilised dialogue that can result in the anticipated results.

The King pointed out that there are positive indications today that people have become better aware about the need to take the path of peace and goodness because it is the best way forward. 'Most of the people do agree,' he said.

'If you compare the number of those who agree with those who have a divergent point of view, you will find that those who agree outnumber the others,' His Majesty stated.

'We believe that those who do not agree should join those who agree because one of the advantages of any royal regime is that the country is for all people and that there is pluralism that allows everybody to implement their political programmes and to live their own lives.

'There is no one single entity that dominates the others,' he remarked.

His Majesty also said that an event like the Formula One is an indication of the people's satisfaction with the country's development.

'We hope that the economy of Bahrain prospers. It is a vibrant economy and we believe that our visit to Japan will reinforce this orientation,' the King said.

His Majesty said the visit will be an opportunity to build on Bahrain-Japan relations that date back to 1934, when Bahrain first shipped oil to Japan.

He also expressed pride that the visit is taking place as both countries mark 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

His Majesty said that what had happened in the Middle East was not a peaceful development of events. He pointed out that peaceful development is always the safest way forward.

The King said 'spring' is not the right way to describe them as spring is a season of goodness.

'However, resorting to wars and killings and yet calling it 'spring'! This is not the right term. It is only violence and excessive violence that has gone beyond all limits. Therefore, decision makers in these matters should put an end to it,' he pointed out.-TradeArabia News Service